Collapsible baby carriage



Aug. 6, 1940. A. G. FELDMAN coLLAPsIBLE BABY CARRIAGE Filed March 27,1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 6, 1940. -A. G. FELDMAN COLLAPSIBLE BABYCARRIAGE Filed March 27, 1939 3 Sheelzs-Sheel 2 Aug., 6, 1940.

A. G. FELDMAN 2,210,071

COLLAPSIBLE BABY CARRIAGE Filed Maron 2v, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 wmgj-Patented Aug.. 6, 1940 s mi'nalv'fr ori-fici'.l

ooLLAPslBLE BABY CARRIAGE Abraham G. Feldman, Chicago,

Storkllne Furniture Corporation, Chicago,

Ill., assigner to lll,

a corporation of Illinois Application March 27, 1939, Serial No. 264,282

z 071mm.r (01.280441) The present invention relates to collapsible babycarriages, and is particularly concerned with collapsible baby carriagesof the type which are spring-supported and adapted to be folded into aminimum amount of space.

One of the objects of the invention is'the provision of a collapsiblebaby carriage of the scissors type, which is adapted to bespring-supported upon a chassis in such manner that the scissors may befolded or opened and so that the carriage is adapted to receive fullbeneiit'of the springs upon which it is carried.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved form ofadjustable foot well for collapsible'baby carriages so that the'carriage may be utilized either with the oor of the basket in horizontalcondition or with a part depressed in such manner as tov adapt thecarriage for use as a stroller.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved'collapsible baby carriage provided with a set of springs carried by thechassis in such manner that the springs are tensioned when thecollapsible mechanism is opened and the springs tend to collapse themechanismy against the action of a locking device.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved basketconstruction adapted to provide a more comfortable conveyance and toprovide a suitable extension for use in storing merchandise orftoprovide more foot room for the occupant.

Another object of the'invention is the provision of an improved form oflocking devicel` for collapsible carriages of the'type described, whichholds the carriage rmlyin open positiombut which is simple and easy tooperate for the purpose of folding the carriage. Another object of theinvention is theprovision of yan improved baby carriage which islsturdy, capable of economical manufacture and spring-supported in suchmanner that it is adapted to have comfortable, riding characteristicsand also adapted to fold into a minimum amount of space.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings, in which simiandwith the two wheels in the foreground removed to expose the mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a similar'view. with theparts of the collapsible .mechanism inthe folded position;

vF'ig.'-3.; is:a-fragmentary sectional view of a 5 partoffth ollapsibleframe, taken on the plane -`1- 3jof31Eig.-;1,'looking in the directionof thearrrows;y

Fig.j41: is a fragmentary elevational view, similar to Fig.V l, showingonlyzthe rear end ofthe car- 10 riage, with the foot well in theposition which; it assumes when `the carriage is to be used as astroller;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view, showing the locking mechanismfor the collapsible frame, 15 taken on the plane of the line 5-5 of Fig.1;

Fig.' 6 is a fragmentary sectional iew, taken on the plane of theline6-6 of Fig. looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, Iindicates in its 20 entirety the upperframework, I I the basket supported thereby, I2 the collapsible scissorsmechanism, and I3 the chassis. f v

The chassis preferably includes a pair of strap steel springs Il, whichare identical in shape and 25 structure-and located on oppositev sidesof the vehicle. y I

The springs I4 each have the central fiat portion I5 andthe upwardlyandinwardly curved end portions IO ateach end. The end portions 30 I6are each formed with the curvedbearings I1` adapted to receive the pivotpins or rivets' I8 by means of which the springs are pivotally securedto the shackles I9. A.

Each of the shackles vI9 comprises a pair of 35 straps of steel 2li, 2lof identical structure, but reversed in position. Each strap20, 2l hasan oifset at 22A so that the ends oppositeto the pintle I8 may bebrought close enough together to engage on the-opposite sides of onev ofthe 40 scissor vbars 22, 24, to which they are lpivotally secured bymeans of a rivet 25. Eachl shackle bar 2li, 2'I has-,at each end anaperture-and `21 serving. as bearings for Areceiving the rivets thecarriage and secured by means ofv shackles lar characters of referenceindicate similar parts throughoutthe several views.' l y. Referring tothe lthree sheets of drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of acollapsible baby carriageconstructed according .to the presf ent invention, with the carriage jinopen position to the springs in the same manner.v

The chassis-liaise i dudes the steei rods ze, 50 29, serving yas axlesand secured to the springs have attaching .iiangesr' 2| v riveted i to vthe.. lower side ofthesprings by'rivets 32.. v Each axle 28,29 is longer`than the width of 55 the collapsible framework so that it projects ateach side beyond the springs I4 by an amount suflicient to providerotatable support for a rubber-tired metal wheel. j

'I'hus four rubber .tired metal wheels 33 are rotatably mounted upon theaxles 28, 29 and secured thereon by means of Cotter-pins passing throughthe axles.

'I'he braking mechanism, comprising the bendable brake beam 34,connecting rod 35, foot pedal 35, release pedal 31, frame 38, and otherelements may be similar to that described in my prior application, Ser.No. 260,067, filed March 6, 1939,

on Collapsible baby carriages, and forms no part of features to becovered by this application.

In the view of Fig. 1, the two wheels in the foreground have beenremoved; that is, a section is taken on a plane just inside the twowheels on the right side of the vehicle.

The collapsible mechanism of the vehicle includes two similar scissorbars 23 and two similar scissor bars 24, one of the bars 23 and 24 beingpivotally secured together by means of a rivet 40 on each side of thecarriage.

The scissor bars 24, are the inner ones in this arrangement and, as theyare arranged on the inner ,side of the framework, they may be se- 'curedtogether by means of the cross frame members 4I, 42, which consist ofstraps of steel provided with attaching flanges 43 at each end, whichare riveted to the opposite scissor bars 24.

The transverse frame member 4| may beV straight, while the transverseframe member 42 has a flat central portion 44 that is riveted by A meansof rivets 45 to the frame member 4I. Extending from the at centralportion 44 of the transverse frame member 42 there is a diagonal Ibracing portion 46, 41 at each end.

'I'hus the scissor bars 24 at each side of the vehicle are firmlysecured together so that they are kept in definite spaced relation toeach other and in substantially parallel relation to each other at alltimes. When one scissor bar 24 becomes collapsed, the other one mustfollow it, and thus both sides of the vehicle must collapse at the sametime.

'I'he framework 4 I-41 also increases the rigidity of the collapsiblemechanism when it is extended as shown in Fig. 1.,

As previously stated, the lower ends of the scissor bars 23, 24 aresecured by means of shackles I9 to the springs I4. The length andproportion of these various parts is such that when the collapsiblemechanism is extended, as shown in Fig. 1, the shackles I9 aresubstantially horizontal, but slightly downwardly depressed at theirinner ends, due to the weight of the vehicle and the tension placed onthe springs.

The arrangement is also preferably such that when the scissors areextended as shown in Fig. 1, there is a pull placed upon the curvedportions I8 of the springs and the springs are slightly tensioned; thatis, the springs tend to collapse the mechanism, and that is also theeffect ofthe weight of the upper parts of the vehicle.

'Ihe basket II is carried by the framework I5 at the top of the vehicle,and the framework Il is carried by the upper ends of the scissor bars23, 24. Flor this purpose theupper framework may consist of asubstantially U-shaped wooden member 55, which forms a frame around theforward part of the vehicle.

'Ihe wooden frame 5I! may have the ends of the legs on each side ofsubstantially rectangular cross section, as at 5I, and the remainder ofthe when the foot-well is lifted by means of its frame frame may beprovided with an outwardly extending bead 52, forming an angular recess53, which is adapted to receive the carriage top.

The carriage top rests upon the bead 52 when it is folded. Flxedlysecured to the lower side 5 of the wooden frame member 50 on each legisa steel strap frame member 54, which may be secured to the woodenframe member 50 by means of rivets 55 and angle brackets 55, which aresecured to the wooden frame member by means of wood screws 51.

The scissor bars 24 may then be pivotally securedvto the upper framemembers 54 by means of a rivet 58 near the forward end of each framemember 54. The scissor bar members 23, however, terminate short of theframe member 54 at the point 59 and each of them is pivotally secured toone of the legs 50 of the U-shaped handle, the end of each handle legbeing indicated at 5I, and the rivet at 52. 20

The handle 53 may consist of a bright tubular metal member ofsubstantially U shape, having each of the ends of the opposite legsflattened at 64 and secured to the additional strap member 50 by meansof the rivet 55.

As previously stated, the strap member 5l is pivotally secured to Athescissor bar 23 at the point 52, and the handle leg 50 is pivotallysecured on the frame member 54 by means of a rivet 55. The frame member54 extends to substantially the full length of the basket Il at the top,when the basket is in the position of Fig. 1, on each side `ofthebasket, and each upper frame member 54 is provided with an elongatedslot 61 near its central portion, a shorter slot 58 adjacent its end,and an upwardly open slot 69 at its extreme rear end, for the purpose ofsupporting a movable foot well framework.

A movable foot-well framework consists of a U-shaped steel strap 1I)(Fig. 4), having each of the ends of its legs securedto a rivet 1 I,which is slidably mounted in a slot 51. The legs of the U-shaped framemember 15 are arranged inside of the upper frame members 54, and therivets extend outwardly through the slots 51, having their heads on theoutside.

At a point substantially midway between the ends of the U-shaped framemember 10, this frame member is also supported by means of a link 12 oneach side, each link 12 being pivotally secured to a frame member 10 bya rivet 13, which passes through the parts of the basket and theU-shaped frame member 10. 4

The upper end of the link` 12 is provided with a rivet 14, which isslidably mounted in the slot 58. The foot-well framework, comprising theU- shaped member 10, is supported in the position of Fig. 4 by means ofthe rivets 1I, rivets 13, links 12, and rivets 14, but it may also `besupported in the position of Fig. 1, by means of a pair of laterallyextending headed studs 15.

One stud 15 is provided on each side of the U- shaped frame member 10,the stud projecting laterally to such an extent that it is adapted to bereceived in the slot 58 of each frame member 54, 65

member 10 to the position of Fig. 1.

'Ihe length of the slot 51 is such that the rivet 1I can be slidforwardly in the slot 51 far enough so that the stud 15 will registerwith the slot 59. 70 The slot 88 permits the sliding movement of thefoot well, even when it has its upper frame member 10 in horizontalposition and thelink is in horizontal position. l

Such sliding movement is necessary for the 75 studs 15 engage in theslots 69. s

'Ihe basket Il preferably comprises some form 5, .and 6. of imitationleather or other manufactured fabcomprised ric, which may be formed withtwo layers, the scissor bar layers containing cotton for quilting, andthe condition, whic ably provided with an improved means for llapslbleframework in extended h is best illustrated in Figs. l, 2, A part ofthis locking mechanism is in the slots 95 at the end of each 23, asshown in Fig. 2.

'Ihe slots 95 are bordered on the lower side in cotton being secured inplace by suitable trans- Fig. 2 by an elongated lug 96, but the upperlug versely extending seams 16, 11.

protection against engagement of the fabric above the slot 95 is beveledat"91 for selflock The padding of the quilting gives adequate ingaction.

'I'he handle legs 60 each support a sliding basket with the adjacentsteel frame members, latching member, indicated in its entirety by theand the provision of two layers gives a finished numeral |00 (Fig. 6).Each such sliding latchappearance for the inside and outside of the ingmember comp a flat outer strap basket alike.

rises a flat inner strap IOI and- |02, the latter being provided 'I'hebasket consists of the identical sides 18 with an offset at |03 andalaterally turned thumb at the front end of the vehicle, the front wallpiece at |04.

The rivet 66 which pivotally secures each of 19, and the bottom wall 80,which extends the full length of the vehicle. The side walls 19'thehandle legs 60 u .m .mph emp nf the vehicle is an elongated to theupper frame member is only necessary to pull upward on the two thumbpieces |04 at each side of the handle legs to release the latchingmechanism. 'I'he tension of the springs I4 and the Weight of the vehicleabove the springs tends to cause the scissors 23, 24 to fold and movethe handle 63 in a clockwise direction to the position shown in Fig. 2.During this movement the lower ends of the scissor bars 23, 24 spreadfrom each other .to relieve the springs of any tension and to permit theends of these scissor bars to fold downward into the curved portions ofthe springs by virtue of the action of the shackles I9.

The carriage framework may be extended by merely grasping on the handleand pulling upward to moven it fromthe position of Fig. 2 to that ofFig. 1. This is best done by using both the hands and elbows, each handgrasping the handle legs 60, and each elbow resting on the upper part ofthe tubular handle in such manner that the handle is rotated in aclockwise direction by means of the hands and forearms, withoutdepending upon he xity or movement of the rest of the vehicle; that is,when the handle is so grasped and manipulated, it does not matterwhether the vehicle tends to roll forward or downward during theoperation, as the hands and elbows or forearms are so employed that theypositively move the handle to the position desired. When this is done,the back rest 9U should, of course, be lying at on the bottom 80.

The spring and shackle support of the collapsible framework not onlygives the upper part of the vehicle a oating action, which is present inthe support of the vehicle by means of horizontal shackles, but theshackles permit a folding of the scissors down into the curved parts ofthe springs and permit the tensioning of the springs so that when thevehicle is in use the springs are pre-tensioned.

This prevents all rattling of parts of the collapsible framework, andimproves the riding qualities of the vehicle.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, manymodiications may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details ofconstruction set forth,

but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of theappended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a baby carriage, the combination of a. supporting frame for aflexible basket, said supporting frame comprising a pair oflongitudinally extendingframe members, and means for joining said framemembers at one end of the basket, and a. U-shaped frame member forsupporting the upper edge of the other end of the basket, said U-shapedframe member being slidably and pivotally mounted on saidfirst-mentioned longitudinally extending frame members, and meanscarried by said U-shaped frame member for securement to the ends of saidlongitudinally extending frame members, whereby that end of the basketmay be supported in a plurality of positions, said U-shaped frame memberbeing also connected to the ends of said longitudinally extending framemembers by a pair of links pivotally engaging said longitudinallyextending frame members and said U-shaped frame member.

2. In a iiexlble basket for collapsible baby carriages, the combinationof an upper framework for supporting said basket, with a fabric baskethaving a bottom, side walls, and end walls, one of said end wallsextending diagonally outward from the top into engagement with anextended bottom, and a section of said bottom, adjacent said latter endwall, being provided with a boardlike stiffener, a securing membercarried by the top of said end Wall, and fastening means carried by thebottom of said basket adjacent said end Wall, whereby said board-likestiiener and adjacent portion of the bottom may be folded upward andsecured by said securing member and fastening means to diminish thelength and volume of said basket.

ABRAHAM G. FELDMAN.

